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Robot Tools for automated manufacturing and finishing Suhner Robot Tools are available for integration as end effectors on all types of robots for various machining and finishing operations, including drilling, grinding, filing, cutting, brushing, sanding, polishing and deburring. They bring high-level automation to your manufacturing, from large auto production lines to weld shop equipment builders. Learn more about Suhner Robot Tools. See Suhner Robot Tools in action. Or contact Lee Coleman, Suhner, 706-235-8046.
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In this issue of Designfax |
News |
Cover Image: Nelson Publishing
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Inspired by the brain: New ultra-low-power chips help make small robots more capable Giant robotic laser measurement system improves and accelerates automotive quality inspection 'MacGyver'-like robot can build its own tools by combining objects How PKI and embedded security can help stop aircraft cyber attacks |
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How a Gear Manufacturer Decreased Cycle Time by 12 Seconds, Realizing 3 Months ROI with OnRobot Grippers The Copenhagen-based company Osvald Jensen has increased its productivity on CNC machines by retrofitting them with RG2 Dual Grippers from OnRobot that significantly decrease cycle times and allow for production to continue after operators leave the shop.
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| Featured Articles |
| Magic bullets: The future of artificial intelligence in weapon systems | |
AI on the battlefield will come. That's guaranteed. Before AI automates "slaughterbots," we need to think through the moral and ethical implications of such powerful technology in warfare. What does it mean for a weapon to be fail-safe? Is a human in the loop necessary or even desirable? By Dr. Gordon Cooke, Director, West Point Simulation Center
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Cobot at the controls: Air Force Research Lab conducts first flight of drop-in ROBOpilot Imagine being able to rapidly and affordably convert a general aviation aircraft, like a Cessna or Piper, into an unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force Research Lab and DZYNE Technologies have done just that. The drop-in system "grabs" the yoke, pushes on the rudders and brakes, controls the throttle, flips the appropriate switches, and reads the dashboard gauges the same way a pilot does -- a novel approach to rapidly commissioning flight automation systems.
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Is new highest throughput 3D printer the future of manufacturing? Northwestern University researchers have developed a new, futuristic 3D printer that is so big and so fast it can print an object the size of an adult human in just a couple of hours. Using a patent-pending version of stereolithography, the 13-ft-tall machine has demonstrated a record throughput for the 3D-printing field using materials that end up hard or elastic -- and it can even make ceramic parts.
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Fusion OEM doubles production capacity in CNC machining operations Fusion OEM specializes in part machining for its Midwest-area customers. The high-mix, low-volume factory operates 14 CNC machines, and was struggling with quality and labor issues. Employees found a way to increase productivity by deploying four Universal Robots collaborative robots in less than a year, equipped with Robotiq's Hand-E and Force Copilot peripherals. Results have been impressive, with doubled production throughput and a cost four times cheaper than operating manually. View the video and read the Fusion OEM case study: Ready to get started? Download your free ebook on cobots: Can't wait? Request an on-site demo now:
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Weird vs. the wild: Audi autonomous off-roader concept We've seen a bunch of electric vehicle concepts with automated driving rolled out lately, from super-high-end luxe cruisers to cutesy micro-cars that just get the job done. Audi took another direction at the International Auto Show in September by introducing its AI:TRAIL quattro concept. With its fortified suspension and tires, 360-degree "helicopter" views, and integrated drones, it's weird vs. the wild for the future of off-roading.
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Gecko Gripper with NASA tech comes to market End-effector tooling specialist OnRobot is now taking orders for its Gecko Gripper, which uses millions of micro-scaled fibrillar stalks that adhere to a surface using powerful van der Waals forces -- the same way that geckos climb. The technology was first developed at Stanford and perfected by NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. It's fascinating how it works. It's kind of like Velcro -- if you only needed one side of the Velcro tape.
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Trends in fastening technology: Smaller, lighter, easier to install Fastening technologies and assembly techniques are evolving to meet continued demands for reliability, throughput, and ease of manufacturability. One trend sees designers involving parts manufacturers in early design phases to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM). Another sees the fasteners themselves becoming smaller, stronger, lighter, and easier to install by automated and robotic assembly systems. Traditional and robot-ready fastener machines are also evolving. By Michael Wolff and Ron Boggs, PennEngineering
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Just out: Heavy-duty cobot for collaborative automation The new UR16e cobot from Universal Robots combines a high payload of 16 kg with a reach of 900 mm and the best pose repeatability in its reach class. It's ideal for automating tasks such as heavy-duty material handling, heavy-part handling, palletizing, and machine tending. Better yet, programming and integration is simple -- it can be mounted and programmed to perform a task within an hour.
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CNC-integrated robot kinematics optimize control of all robotic machining and handling tasks Siemens has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Italian robot manufacturer Comau, and together they now offer the jointly engineered product Sinumerik Run MyRobot/DirectControl. This development enables the robot kinematics to be fully integrated into a CNC system. As a result, the Sinumerik CNC controls the articulated robot arm directly using complex algorithms and without the need for a separate robot controller. This integration helps improve path and positioning accuracy as well as reliability. It also yields enhanced dynamic response during robot-aided machining tasks. Learn more about Siemens SINUMERIK Run MyRobot.
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THK introduces TRK Robot Hand assembly THK America is known for being a leader in linear motion guides, but now they're stretching their reach into the end-effector market. The Schaumburg, IL-based company has just added the Type TRX Robot Hand to its quality lineup.
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Working with cobots: What you need to know Collaborative robots, or cobots, have been creating a buzz in the automation world in recent years. Many believe there's just one solution for a collaborative robot system -- a specialized non-industrial robot. The good news is there's actually a variety of options to achieve a collaborative system. In fact, most traditional robots can become "collaborative" with extra safety devices and proper integration. FANUC examines options for collaborative robot operations. Read this informative FANUC robotics blog. Watch FANUC cobots in action. So many real-world applications.
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New fast-cure urethane adhesive speeds assembly Designed for engineered thermoplastics, e-coated metals, powder painted surfaces, coated metals, composites, and SMC, the LORD 7800 family of fast-cure urethane adhesives will help manufacturers reduce bond and assembly time in the transportation sector. Traditional urethanes cure and build up strength slowly, forcing manufacturers to wait 3 to 12 hours to reach the necessary state to drill, cut, machine, and/or add other components to the assembly. In contrast, the LORD 7800 family cures quickly, reaching those usable strengths often within an hour or less -- with no odor or flammability issues like competing acrylics.
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| Most Popular |
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Motor solutions for robotics and intelligent systems Kollmorgen motors are optimized for fit and performance with industry-standard strain wave gearing and industry-leading torque density, enabling smaller, lighter, and faster robots. Their housed rotary servo, frameless, and stepper motors include the award-winning KBM and TBM lines. Kollmorgen has mobilized hundreds of thousands of robotic joints and arms for applications including collaborative robots, industrial articulated robots, and medical robots, as well as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) such as mobile picking/sorting robots, carts, tuggers, and self-driving forklifts.
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Alternative precision linear motion system: Faster, more accurate, zero backlash With high speeds, incredible accuracy, and zero backlash at unlimited lengths, Nexen's patented Roller Pinion System (RPS) overcomes the limitations of conventional rack and pinion, ball screw, and belt-drive systems. The RPS offers longer life, less maintenance, 99 percent efficiency, and can run without lubrication. Learn more about Nexen's Roller Pinion System.
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Trends in 3D printing for 2020 3D-printing (additive manufacturing) technologies have continued to evolve, adapt, and reinvent themselves. With 2020 on the horizon, 3D-printing bureaus have to keep an eye on what's next. Greg Paulsen from Xometry runs through the hottest trends in 3D printing that will help elevate the manufacturing industry, including new materials, capabilities, and design tools.
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| Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
| Make your first robo weld in 10 minutes | |
| The Vectis Cobot Welding Tool from Vectis Automation helps manufacturers boost productivity by reducing the learning curve, deployment time, risk, and cost of robotic welding. Powered by Universal Robots' UR10e collaborative robot, the Vectis Cobot Welding Tool is a portable, safe, versatile, and extremely easy-to-use solution that is even available as a low-risk, no-capital, rent-to-own option. Typical set up of this system can be done entirely by the customer within a few hours of system arrival, and welding can begin within 10 minutes of setup -- with no programming experience necessary. The Vectis system comes with all hardware provided fully integrated onto a 3-ft x 6-ft mobile modular fixturing cart.
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